Get to know the people behind the badge. In this member spotlight series, campus public safety professionals share their career journeys, personal perspectives, and professional insights. From training and development to ethics, philosophy, and reflections on the field, these profiles offer a candid look at the experiences that shape our community.
Chief Stephen K. Tavares – Campus Public Safety Leadership at Eastern Connecticut State University
Chief Stephen K. Tavares’s career in campus law enforcement and public safety reflects a lifelong commitment to service, relationship-building, and the belief that higher education must remain a safe and supportive environment for learning and growth. A graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University, Chief Tavares returned to lead the very campus community that helped shape his professional journey, bringing with him more than three decades of law enforcement experience, leadership, and a people-centered approach to public safety.
Chief Tavares began his career at the Bristol, Connecticut Police Department, where he advanced through progressively responsible roles—including detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and deputy chief—over a span of more than 30 years. Throughout his tenure, he sought out assignments that broadened his perspective and strengthened his leadership, including community policing, narcotics task force operations, K-9 handling, and crisis negotiation. These diverse experiences reinforced his belief that effective public safety requires a balance of operational excellence, proactive problem-solving, and compassion.
Returning to Eastern Connecticut State University as Chief of Police allowed Chief Tavares to apply his extensive operational and supervisory background to a campus environment where collaboration and trust are critical. He leads with a community-centric philosophy, prioritizing engagement with students, faculty, and staff through visibility and listening. He works closely with campus partners (Student Affairs, Counseling, and Residence Life) as well as municipal agencies and community organizations to ensure a holistic and coordinated approach to safety and well-being.
Chief Tavares’s leadership is guided by three core values: integrity, excellence, and compassion. He emphasizes transparency and accountability in all operations, holding himself and his team to high professional standards. He ensures continuous training, policy review, and mentorship to maintain best practices and adaptability in a changing safety landscape. A trauma-informed approach and focus on de-escalation underscore his belief that public safety must be principled, professional, and people-centered.
To support these goals, Chief Tavares has pursued advanced training in leadership, command operations, and emergency management. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville’s Southern Police Institute Command Officers Development Course and the FBI National Command Course. He has completed FEMA emergency management programs—including Multi-Hazard Emergency Management for Higher Education—and numerous IACLEA trainings, including the annual conference, where he engages with peers across the country to exchange best practices and innovative strategies.
Chief Tavares’s dedication to ethical leadership and community engagement has been recognized at both the state and local level. He was named to the NAACP’s list of 25 Most Influential African Americans in Bristol, Connecticut, honored among the 100 Men of Color in 2022, and received the Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut Distinguished Chief’s Award the same year. These honors reflect a career built on trust, mentorship, and partnerships that extend beyond traditional policing to include advocacy, inclusion, and service to others.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Chief Tavares values time with family and friends and maintains routines that promote balance and well-being. He recognizes the importance of self-care in sustaining the energy and focus required to lead a public safety department that supports a vibrant campus community.
For Chief Tavares, serving at Eastern Connecticut State University represents the culmination of his career experience and personal dedication to making a difference. His leadership ensures that safety, equity, and opportunity are at the forefront of the university experience, empowering students, faculty, and staff to thrive in an environment built on trust, respect, and shared responsibility.
Assistant Director Peter Shipley – University of Toronto Campus Safety
With nearly 40 years in law enforcement, Assistant Director Peter Shipley has built a career defined by continuous learning, evidence-based training, and a steadfast commitment to community service.
Throughout his career, Assistant Director Shipley has held roles as Fitness Coordinator, Instructor, Facilitator, Special Constable, Use of Force Instructor, and Instructor Trainer. One of his most impactful contributions was serving as Chief Instructor of the General Patrol Training Unit at the Ontario Provincial Police Academy—the second-largest police agency in Canada. There, he created a research-driven and evidence-based approach to professionalizing training, establishing the Strategic Research, Planning, and Curriculum Design Unit, and leading initiatives in online learning, curriculum innovation, and leadership development.
His leadership extended to national and international associations, including serving as International Chair and General Chair of the State and Provincial Police Academy Directors Section (SPPADS) through the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and as President of both the Canadian Association of Police Educators and the Police Fitness Personnel of Ontario. These roles provided opportunities to collaborate with exemplary law enforcement leaders to elevate training standards and improve programs across North America.
At the University of Toronto, Assistant Director Shipley’s dedication extends beyond operational excellence to celebrating the outstanding contributions of his team. Through programs like True Blue, which allows staff recognition at all levels, and awards such as the Service Excellence Award and the King Charles III Coronation Medal, Assistant Director Shipley ensures that the achievements of frontline and leadership personnel alike are acknowledged and celebrated.
Recognizing the critical role of communications operators and frontline officers, Assistant Director Shipley emphasizes that law enforcement’s core mission is to serve the community—whether through investigations, crime prevention, or ensuring the safety and well-being of all campus members.
Training remains a cornerstone of his leadership philosophy. Under the guidance of Director Michael Munroe, officers are encouraged to attend conferences, seminars, and specialized programs—not only to grow professionally but also to bring back insights and best practices to share with their peers.
Reflecting on his career, Assistant Director Shipley credits the mentors and colleagues who believed in him and supported his vision for more progressive, adult-learning-based approaches to law enforcement education. Initiatives like personalized learning modules, introduced under his leadership, demonstrated the value of trust in officers to identify areas for growth—showing that confidence and capability come from continuous learning.
Assistant Director Shipley acknowledges that policing has faced heightened scrutiny in recent years, and he believes the profession’s future depends on maintaining integrity, professionalism, and accountability at every level. He emphasizes the importance of strong, principled leaders who uphold rigorous training and selection standards, noting that reducing requirements—particularly physical readiness—would not only be dangerous but negligent. Throughout his teaching and leadership roles, he has reinforced a simple but enduring philosophy: excellence in policing is defined by how you look, how you act, and how you treat people.
Deputy Chief Christopher Bentley – University of Central Arkansas
When Deputy Chief Christopher Bentley first set out on his career path, law enforcement wasn’t in the plan. His original dream was to become an educator and serve as a band director. But growing up in a family of first responders—a grandfather who was a police officer and a father who was a firefighter—quietly shaped the direction his life would eventually take.
His first taste of campus law enforcement came as a student worker at the University of Central Arkansas, where he embraced the principles of Community-Oriented Policing and found deep fulfillment in serving others. A pivotal influence along the way was his former Chief who showed him how campus policing is central to supporting students, faculty, and staff. That lesson has guided him throughout his 31 years in campus law enforcement, including 28 years in full-time service.
Deputy Chief Bentley’s career path has been marked by steady growth and achievement. From his early roles as a student worker and dispatcher, to completing the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy in 2000, he worked his way through the ranks of officer, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and now deputy chief. In September 2025, he will be sworn in as President of the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police—another milestone in a career built on service, leadership, and perseverance.
Education has also been a cornerstone of his journey. After stepping away from college in 1997 to take a full-time position, he returned years later to complete his Bachelor of Business Administration in 2015 and a Master of Business Administration in 2020. He is also a graduate of the Arkansas Leader program, an FBI Command College, and in 2019 became the first Certified Clery Compliance Officer in Arkansas.
In his current role, Deputy Chief Bentley oversees critical aspects of campus safety—from reviewing police reports for accuracy and compliance, to managing a network of more than 2,000 security cameras, to ensuring national best practices are reflected in department policies. Yet, he says, some of the most important work is less about systems and more about presence: being available for staff, mentoring team members, and building trust with students, faculty, and staff through everyday interactions. “Getting out of the car, being on foot, on a bicycle, or a cart where you can stop and just ask how someone is doing on that particular day can make a difference,” he shares.
For Deputy Chief Bentley, the most rewarding aspects of his work are seeing professional staff grow, working with students to find new ways to collaborate, and knowing his department helps create a safe environment for living and learning. Challenges remain—particularly financial and political hurdles that slow the pace of change, and the challenge of keeping up with rapidly evolving technology. Still, he embraces innovation and adapts with resilience, driven by his core values of integrity, service, excellence, and collaboration.
Outside of work, he finds balance through music, travel, cooking, and camping with family and friends. “Being out in a state park or campground, meeting other campers while sitting back with a brisket on the smoker, and singing some karaoke—that’s what makes it better,” he says.
Looking ahead, his goal is to continue striving to be the best version of himself, while empowering colleagues and strengthening professional networks that serve the campus policing community. “We often speak of serving our communities, but our professional networks and associations are also communities in their own right,” he reflects. “Engaging others in these groups allows us to continue the positive path established by those who came before us, ensuring that their legacy of service, leadership, and collaboration endures.”
Chief Anthony Williams – Indiana University
Chief Anthony Williams’ journey into campus law enforcement began as a student security officer at Northwest Missouri State University Police Department (NWMSU PD). What started as a semester job quickly evolved into a calling. Working alongside certified officers, Chief Williams discovered that campus policing was more than enforcing rules—it was about building relationships, fostering trust, and ensuring students felt safe and valued. Encouraged by his supervisor, Lt. Mike Ceperley, he paused his studies to attend the police academy, determined to return to NWMSU PD. That decision launched a 15-year career filled with growth, mentorship, and impact.
At NWMSU PD, Chief Williams held a variety of roles including field training officer, department instructor, mental health liaison, and advisor to student organizations. His leadership was shaped by Dr. Clarence Green, whose mentorship helped Chief Williams develop a service-first mindset and seize opportunities that expanded his reach. While serving the department, Chief Williams earned degrees in Corporate Recreation and Wellness and Business Administration, and graduated from the FBI National Academy’s 278th class.
Now serving as Deputy Superintendent and Campus Chief Law Enforcement Officer at Indiana University Police Department, he oversees operations across nine campuses. His days are filled with strategic planning, collaboration, and reflection—anchored by a daily habit of asking himself key questions during his commute home to lead with clarity and purpose. He finds the most reward in connecting with students, changing perceptions, and being part of their personal and academic journeys. One standout moment was a playful photo skit mimicking sorority “big-little” poses that went viral, a reminder of how creativity and connection can reshape the narrative around law enforcement.
Chief Williams’ approach to leadership is grounded in vulnerability, authenticity, and a commitment to lifelong learning. He stays current through mentorship, professional networking, and collaboration with legal experts and training teams. His core values, curiosity, humility, commitment, and authenticity, guide his work and shape his impact. His mentors, including Dr. Green and Dr. Justin Mallett, provide daily insight and challenge him to grow, offering perspectives on leadership, inclusion, and service that sharpen his approach. He also prioritizes wellness, drawing strength from his family, especially his mother’s resilience, and from physical outlets like running, golf, and grounding techniques. His support system, both personal and professional, helps him manage the emotional toll of the job and stay focused on his purpose.
He believes law enforcement is at its best when it’s rooted in genuine care for the community. Chief Williams wishes more people understood that officers strive to be partners, not just authority figures—working to build safer, stronger, and more connected environments. His advice to new officers is to hold on to personal values, know your “why,” and find a department that aligns with your purpose. His proudest accomplishments aren’t titles or awards—they’re the quiet moments of impact, the relationships built, and the legacy of service he continues to shape.
Looking ahead, Chief Williams hopes to help law enforcement strengthen and uplift communities by focusing on trust, accountability, and economic development. He envisions a profession that grows with the needs of the community, setting higher standards while remaining grounded in service. His story is a testament to the power of mentorship, resilience, and staying true to one’s values—and his impact continues to shape the future of campus public safety.